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A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor, a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

University hosts
historically
black schools

By Catherine Doss

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 32 - June 5, 1997

A delegation of administration and faculty representatives from 11
historically black colleges and universities visited the Virginia Tech campus
in May for an exchange of information and ideas designed to foster mutually
beneficial partnerships. The president, chief academic officer, and a faculty
member from each institution were Virginia Tech's guests for a day-and-a-half
of tours, discussions, and demonstrations.
"This was a Virginia Tech initiative," said Senior Vice President and Provost
Peggy S. Meszaros. "We hope this visit planted the seeds for future projects
with these institutions. There is much we can learn from each other."
Meszaros says as the partnerships evolve, Virginia Tech hopes to gain insights
about how to create higher-education environments that nurture students
successes, particularly those of African American undergraduates as well as
assistance in recruiting and retaining minority graduate students. The African
American delegation will, in turn, learn more about the university's
initiatives in computing, information, and communication technology, how the
university is using this expertise to provide innovative ways of learning for
students, and what the university offers in the way of graduate and research
programs.
"Partnerships with these institutions may take a variety of forms such as
faculty and student exchanges, instructional technology initiatives, joint
research, and summer-internship programs" Meszaros said. "Virginia Tech is
committed in increasing the pool of African American scholars in our nation's
universities and professionals in our workplaces."
The institutions that were represented were: Norfolk State University,
Virginia State University, Virginia Union, Hampton University, and Saint Paul's
College in Virginia; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Delaware State
University; West Virginia State College; Livingstone College, Winston-Salem
State University, and North Carolina A & T University.